'& Juliet's' Gianna Harris Brings 'Black Girl Passion' To Broadway

Gianna Harris is only 20, but she’s already learning something many performers spend entire careers trying to master: how to lead without rushing the moment. The rising Broadway actress, who graduated high school in 2023 and stepped into professional theater almost immediately after, is now inhabiting one of literature’s most recognizable characters — not by trying to redefine her, but by grounding Juliet in something deeply familiar: youth, uncertainty, and the quiet confidence that comes from figuring things out in real time.

“I feel like it’s really important to stay present,” Harris shared with MadameNoire in an exclusive conversation. “I try not to think about what is down the line. I go with the wind. Wherever the wind blows me, I’m there.”

That philosophy feels fitting for someone who joined Hell’s Kitchen at The Public Theater just months after graduation to now step into & Juliet’s titular character. Still, Harris doesn’t frame the moment as a breakthrough. Instead, she treats it like a continuation of a journey that’s still unfolding. The way she embraces growth is part of what makes her compelling.

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A Juliet Who’s Allowed to Be Young

Juliet has often been framed as the tragic story of a girl whose story ends before it fully begins. Powered by the music of pop hitmaker Max Martin, & Juliet reimagines Shakespeare’s heroine through a modern lens, asking what happens when Juliet’s story doesn’t end in tragedy. Featuring songs made famous by artists like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and Ariana Grande, the show centers self-discovery, autonomy, and second chances. For Harris, stepping into that version of Juliet means embodying a character who isn’t defined by heartbreak, but by growth — a theme that mirrors her own journey.

“Juliet, to her core, is confident,” Harris says. “She’s like, ‘No, this is what I want.’ In & Juliet, she keeps all of that, but she also learns how to be vulnerable for the first time.” That balance of confidence and vulnerability has shaped Harris’s own approach to the role.

“She’s taught me to be okay with not being as sure about my actions and my choices,” she says. “She’s such a force. And I’m so grateful to play that because it makes me, as myself, Gianna, feel like a force.”

It’s an interpretation that becomes even more meaningful when you remember Juliet’s age. In Shakespeare’s original text, she’s just 13. The pivotal age is something Harris is intentional about honoring. “There’s a line in the show where I’m like, ‘I’m about to be 14.’ She’s a little girl. She’s young.”

That youth becomes central to Harris’s portrayal. “She’s so ready to be young and dumb,” Harris says with a laugh. “She’s like, ‘I’m gonna make so many bad choices and be okay with that.’” It’s a message she hopes resonates with young audiences, especially young girls navigating their own growing pains. “I love that I get to tell this story to young girls and be like, ‘Hey, it’s okay to make a million mistakes — even the same ones. You’re always gonna come out on the other side.’”

From “Baby G” to Leading Lady

Harris’s path to Broadway has been swift. After graduating high school in 2023, she joined Hell’s Kitchen that fall. The experience gave her a front-row seat to leadership and helped prepare her for stepping into her own. “It’s been really crazy,” Harris says. “Everyone always calls me Baby G because I’m Baby G.”

She credits her support system for helping her navigate the moment. “I’ve been so lucky with the people I’ve been surrounded with from Hell’s Kitchen to & Juliet. I’ve had the opportunity to watch so many people before me lead shows. I’ve taken bits and pieces from everyone.” Even with that guidance, Harris keeps things honest. “Behind the scenes, I’m a mess,” she says, laughing. “I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m gonna do it confidently.”

Among the people she leans on most is Broadway veteran James Monroe Iglehart. “Anytime I’m having inner turmoil or doubt, I go to James,” Harris says. “And James is like, ‘Girl, please. Do you know who you are?’” That affirmation has helped Harris navigate the pressures of a fast-moving career, and learn to advocate for herself along the way.

With new opportunities came new lessons and boundaries. “Last year was a really big year for me to say no to things,” Harris says. “Saying no is so scary — especially in this industry, and especially as a young Black woman.” The fear, she explains, is familiar. “You think, ‘Well, I’m never gonna work again.’ But I realized there’s so much power in no.”

It’s a lesson that has reshaped how she moves through the industry. “Usually when you say no, people are like, ‘Oh wait! She kinda ate with that.’” It’s a moment of growth that reflects Harris’s evolving sense of not only self, but also her understanding of what it means to move with intention.

Bringing Black Girl Passion to Juliet

For Harris, portraying Juliet as a young Black woman brings an added layer of meaning.

“I always describe Juliet as young and passionate,” she says. “And when I think of young Black girls, I think of passion.” Growing up in New Jersey surrounded by people of color shaped that perspective. “I think about my cousins and the girls I grew up with. As Black girls, there’s this innate passion to thrive and succeed.” That energy extends to her scenes with Juliet’s nurse, Angelique, recently played by Kandi Burruss.

“We have so many moments where [the character] is like, ‘Hey, baby girl, pick your chin up,’” Harris says. “Those moments are so important to me…to have an older Black woman in the show saying, ‘I get you. I’m here for you.’” It’s a dynamic that feels both personal and universal, and one Harris is proud to bring to the stage.

Staying Present as the Moment Expands

Despite her rising profile, Harris resists the urge to plan too far ahead. “I don’t even know what I’m doing next week,” she says. “I’m just here to have a good time and inspire people.” That openness has allowed her to evolve organically. At one point, she considered becoming a recording artist. Now, her focus is Broadway. “I’ve kind of just tried things I wanted to try and found what worked.” It’s a reminder that careers — especially creative ones — are rarely linear.

When Harris thinks about long-term impact, she returns to a simple idea: authenticity. “In any room you walk in, the most interesting thing you can bring is yourself,” she says. It’s a message she hopes young audiences take with them. “I hope I can inspire young people to be themselves and not be scared to own who they are. All the characters I’ve portrayed have been about shining in your own unique way.”

Even as her profile rises, Harris remains focused on the present. She’s learning how to lead while still allowing herself to be young, balancing confidence with curiosity. It’s a rare combination, one that makes her performance feel both grounded and aspirational. As audiences watch her step into Juliet’s story, they’re also witnessing the early chapters of Harris’s own.



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